Tucked away between the Rouge River Valley and Lake Ontario West Rouge stands out as one of Toronto’s neighbourhoods. Its rolling hills are crisscrossed with meandering streets. Bordered by trees that exude a cozy cottage vibe.
Known for its family atmosphere West Rouge boasts a community association that organizes an array of events. From the Family Day” celebration, in September to lively New Years and Valentine’s Day dances at the West Rouge Community Centre there’s always something happening in this charming neighbourhood.
History Of West Rouge, Toronto
West Rouge was mostly farmland back in 1926, when Cecil White, a real estate developer established the “Rouge Hills” neighbourhood. The vision behind this project was to create a summer retreat area featuring country estates dotted along the serene Rouge River. Plans included a canal network and private boat houses to cater to the needs of these estates.
Although “Rouge Hills” never reached its potential, a handful of quaint cottages on Rouge Hills Drive and Ridgewood Road stand as remnants of this development. The transition to year living in West Rouge began in the 1940s as homeowners started purchasing individual lots. Subsequently builders transformed plots of land into homes throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s. The housing landscape expanded further in the 1980s with the sale of the Rouge Hills Golf and Country Club in Rouge Valley, to developers.
Lifestyle
The West Rouge Plaza, on Port Union Road is a spot with a variety of shops and services like a video store, furniture store, bakery, hair salon, bowling alley, billiards hall, sports bar and professional offices.
At Centennial Plaza on the corner of Port Union Road and Lawrence Avenue you’ll find a mix of businesses including a deli, bakery, hardware store, video shop, flower shop, hair salon, travel agency, coffee shop, restaurants, convenience stores, beer and liquor stores. There’s also a shop and animal clinic along with offices and a medical centre.
Ravine Park Plaza near Fanfare Avenue off Port Union Road is another shopping hub that meets the needs of West Rouge residents. It houses stores, like a supermarket pharmacy bank video store hair salon bakery pet store collectibles shop hockey equipment store.
West Rouge, Toronto Parks & Facilities
The community hub, at West Rouge on Rouge Hills Drive has a banquet hall that can host gatherings for up to three hundred and fifty guests. They offer a range of fun activities for both kids and grown ups. Adjacent to the centre is the West Rouge Tennis Club.
The West Rouge Sports and Recreation Association arranges community happenings such as a winter festival and an Earth Day celebration. Their latest addition is the ” adult days” program, running every Tuesday with talks, nature strolls, craft sessions and outings.
For more than four decades the West Rouge Canoe Club has been a cherished institution in the neighbourhood. Situated at Rouge Beach they provide canoeing lessons for all ages and skill levels. Additionally they run a summer camp. Organize a two day Dragon Boat festival every June that attracted four Canadian paddlers during the recent Olympics.
Renowned as one of Toronto’s soccer clubs the West Rouge Soccer Club offers year round leagues for schools and parks. They also have a baseball league program in place.
West Rouge, Toronto Transit
West Rouge locals can easily walk to the Rouge Hill Go Train station situated on Lawrence Avenue East. The train journey to downtown Toronto’s Union Station takes around thirty five minutes.
Drivers are a distance away from the Port Union Road entrance to Highway 401 a key commuter route linking to Toronto’s main highways in and out of the city.
West Rouge, Toronto Elementary, Secondary High Schools
West Rouge Junior Public School, built in 1954 by the Ontario County Board of Education was transferred to the Scarborough Board of Education in 1976. It is located near the Rouge River and Lake Ontario within the Toronto District School Board boundaries. The school has undergone expansions over time with a knit community contributing to its foundation. Our primary focus is creating a learning and working environment that values respect, kindness, safety, good citizenship and academic success.
We are committed to offering a rounded education that includes both studies and extracurricular activities in a welcoming setting. West Rouge is a family neighbourhood situated in eastern Toronto near Lake Ontario’s shores. Renowned for its beauty, waterfront parks and trails West Rouge provides a tranquil setting with a tight knit community feel. With housing options, recreational facilities and amenities available it is a location for families. The area boasts numerous educational institutions. Catholic and private elementary and secondary schools. Ensuring children of all ages receive quality education. Families in West Rouge have access to schooling choices tailored to meet their children’s needs effectively.
These schools offer a nurturing and stimulating learning environment, for students, in this neighbourhood with academic offerings and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities.
- Public Schools: 3
- Catholic Schools: 2
- Private Schools: 2
Public Schools:
- West Rouge Junior Public School
- Charlottetown Junior Public School
- Sir Oliver Mowat Collegiate Institute
Catholic Schools:
- St. Brendan Catholic School
- Pope John Paul II Catholic Secondary School
Private Schools:
- Blaisdale Montessori School (Preschool to Grade 8, co-educational)
- Guildwood Village Montessori School (Preschool to Grade 8, co-educational)
West Rouge, Toronto Homes
The neighbourhood of West Rouge is home to a mix of stone and frame cottages dating back to the 1920s now renovated for year round living. Along Rouge Hills Drive you’ll find these cottages alongside ranch style bungalows, split level homes and classic Tudor style houses from the mid 20th century. In addition there are developments from the 1980s and 90s that add to the neighbourhood’s diversity.
Recently the area around Lawrence Avenue in West Rouge has been transformed into a waterfront village community featuring detached houses and townhomes. One unique feature of these homes is their rear laneway garages, which not enhance the streetscape but also showcase the architectural beauty of the neighbourhood.